Medical 96-well plate sample liquid auxiliary transfer device
By combining an orthogonal movement unit and a pipetting execution unit, the system achieves automated sample transfer and automatic needle replacement, solving the problems of low efficiency and high cost in existing technologies, improving the accuracy and efficiency of sample transfer, and making it suitable for small and medium-sized laboratories.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TONGJI HOSPITAL ATTACHED TO TONGJI MEDICAL COLLEGE HUAZHONG SCI TECH
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies suffer from low efficiency, large operational errors, and high costs in sample transfer processes, which limits the application of automated pipetting equipment, especially in small and medium-sized laboratories.
By combining an orthogonal moving unit and a pipetting execution unit, along with a needle replacement unit and a recovery chamber, the system achieves automated sample transfer and automatic needle replacement, simulating manual operation procedures and preventing contamination and misalignment.
It improves the accuracy and efficiency of sample transfer, reduces the need for manual labor, minimizes operational errors and equipment costs, and is suitable for small and medium-sized laboratories.
Smart Images
Figure CN224127320U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The embodiments of this utility model belong to the field of sample transfer technology, and more specifically, relate to a medical 96-well plate sample transfer auxiliary device. Background Technology
[0002] In biomedical research and clinical diagnosis, 96-well plates are widely used as a high-throughput experimental tool in sample testing, drug screening, and gene analysis. However, the transfer of samples from EP tubes to 96-well plates is often required during experiments, a step that typically relies on manual operation. This is not only inefficient but also prone to sample contamination, cross-contamination, or uneven distribution due to operational errors, thus affecting the accuracy and reproducibility of experimental results. With the increasing scale of experiments and the growing demand for automation, developing an auxiliary device that can replace manual labor and achieve precise and efficient sample transfer is of great significance for improving experimental efficiency, reducing labor costs, and minimizing operational errors.
[0003] Currently, the commonly used sample transfer methods in laboratories mainly include manual pipetting and automated pipetting workstations. Manual pipetting relies on the experimenter using a single-channel or multi-channel pipette to transfer the sample solution from EP tubes to each well of a 96-well plate. Automated pipetting workstations, on the other hand, achieve automated sample transfer through robotic arms and precision control systems, which can significantly improve efficiency and reduce human error.
[0004] Among the above technical methods, although the existing technology can meet the needs of sample transfer to a certain extent, there are still the following technical defects or directions for improvement: (1) Although the manual pipetting method is simple to operate, it is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and requires a high level of proficiency from the operator. It is also inefficient, has poor repeatability, and is prone to sample loss, contamination or misalignment due to improper operation; (2) Although the automated pipetting workstation is efficient, the high product cost and complex operation process of the existing solution limit its application in small and medium-sized laboratories. Utility Model Content
[0005] To address the aforementioned deficiencies or improvement needs of existing technologies, this utility model provides a medical 96-well plate sample transfer auxiliary device. By effectively combining an orthogonal movement unit and a pipetting execution unit, it achieves automated transfer of sample solutions within the EP tube sheet and the 96-well plate. Simultaneously, with the aid of a needle replacement unit, automatic needle replacement is achieved, and a separate needle retrieval chamber prevents contamination caused by improper needle placement. It largely simulates the entire process of manual sample transfer, disposable needle replacement, and needle disposal, automating the process to free up manual labor, preventing the technical risk of sample transfer misalignment, and improving accuracy and work efficiency.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, a medical 96-well plate sample transfer aid device includes:
[0007] The main body includes an internal slide, a first orifice plate inlet and a second orifice plate inlet located on both sides of the internal slide, a sample transfer chamber located on the internal slide, and a needle recovery chamber located below the internal slide.
[0008] The system includes a loading plate that slides horizontally with the internal slide, a limit switch installed in the middle of the internal slide, an orthogonal moving unit located on the top layer of the sample transfer chamber, a pipetting execution unit located at the output end of the orthogonal moving unit, and a needle replacement unit installed on the side wall of the sample transfer chamber. The needle replacement unit is pre-loaded with disposable needles, which are capillary glass tubes with a handle at the top.
[0009] Preferably, the pipetting execution unit includes:
[0010] The components include a support base fixed to the output end of the orthogonal moving unit, a forward-pushing cylinder vertically installed on the support base, a needle carrier block located at the lower end of the forward-pushing cylinder, a needle loading cavity opened in the needle carrier block, a needle-locking hole opened below the needle loading cavity, a needle handle clamping assembly located around the needle-locking hole, a needle unloading assembly installed in the needle loading cavity, and a blower for blowing out the sample liquid from the disposable needle.
[0011] Preferably, the needle unloading assembly includes: a needle unloading linear motor vertically disposed at the top of the needle loading cavity, a push rod serving as the output component of the needle unloading linear motor, and a blower head fixed to the front end of the push rod.
[0012] Preferably, the needle handle clamping assembly includes: a needle handle clamping head that is pushed against the periphery of the needle clamping hole by a forward push spring.
[0013] Preferably, the front end of the blower head is provided with a mesh cover.
[0014] Preferably, the needle replacement unit includes:
[0015] Chain-type needle insertion assembly, needle handle gripping assembly located at the output end of the chain-type needle insertion assembly, and needle replacement interface located on the side of the needle carrier block and connected to the needle loading cavity.
[0016] The chain-type needle feed assembly includes a drive wheel, a drive motor that drives the drive wheel to rotate, and a drive chain that meshes with the drive wheel.
[0017] Preferably, the needle handle gripping assembly includes: a first needle handle retaining block and a second needle handle retaining block disposed on adjacent links of the transmission chain.
[0018] In summary, compared with the prior art, the above-described technical solution conceived by this utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects:
[0019] This invention relates to a medical 96-well plate sample transfer auxiliary device. By effectively combining an orthogonal movement unit and a pipetting execution unit, it achieves automated transfer of sample solution within the EP tube plate and the 96-well plate. Simultaneously, with the aid of a needle replacement unit, it enables automatic needle replacement, and a separate needle retrieval chamber prevents contamination caused by improper needle placement. It largely simulates the entire process of manual sample transfer, disposable needle replacement, and needle disposal, automating the process to free up manual labor, preventing the technical risk of sample transfer misalignment, and improving accuracy and work efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a medical 96-well plate sample transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the pipetting execution unit structure of a medical 96-well plate sample solution auxiliary transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the chain needle assembly structure of a medical 96-well plate sample fluid auxiliary transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 4 This is a partial schematic diagram of the chain needle insertion assembly of a medical 96-well plate sample transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] Figure 5 This is a top view of the sample carrier structure of a medical 96-well plate sample transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] In all the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same technical features, specifically: 1-Main body, 100-Sample transfer chamber, 101-First well plate inlet, 102-Second well plate inlet, 110-Needle retrieval chamber, 2-Loading plate, 3-Limit switch, 4-Orthogonal movement unit, 5-Pipe execution unit, 501-Bearing block, 502-Push cylinder, 503-Needle carrier block, 504-Needle loading chamber, 505-Needle unloading linear motor, 506-Push rod, 507-Blower head, 508-Push spring, 509-Needle handle clamp, 5010-Needle clamping hole, 6-Needle replacement unit, 600-Chain needle insertion assembly, 601-Transmission wheel, 602-Drive motor, 603-Transmission chain, 611-First needle handle clamp, 612-Second needle handle clamp, 620-Needle replacement interface, 7-Disposable needle. Detailed Implementation
[0026] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.
[0027] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0028] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0029] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present utility model described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.
[0030] like Figures 1-5 As shown in this embodiment of the invention, the medical 96-well plate sample solution-assisted transfer device includes:
[0031] The main body 1 includes an internal slide, a first orifice plate inlet 101 and a second orifice plate inlet 102 located on both sides of the internal slide, a sample transfer chamber 100 located on the internal slide, and a needle recovery chamber 110 located below the internal slide.
[0032] The loading plate 2 slides horizontally with the internal slide, the limit switch 3 is installed in the middle of the internal slide, the orthogonal moving unit 4 is arranged on the top layer of the sample transfer chamber 100, the pipetting execution unit 5 is located at the output end of the orthogonal moving unit 4, and the needle replacement unit 6 is installed on the side wall of the sample transfer chamber 100; the needle replacement unit 6 is pre-loaded with disposable needles 7, the disposable needles 7 are capillary glass tubes with a needle handle at the top.
[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in this embodiment of the invention, the pipetting execution unit 5 includes:
[0034] The components include a support base 501 fixed to the output end of the orthogonal moving unit 4, a forward-pushing cylinder 502 vertically installed on the support base 501, a needle carrier block 503 located at the lower end of the forward-pushing cylinder 502, a needle loading cavity 504 opened in the needle carrier block 503, a needle-locking hole 5010 opened below the needle loading cavity 504, a needle handle clamping assembly located around the needle-locking hole 5010, a needle unloading assembly installed in the needle loading cavity 504, and a blower for blowing out the sample liquid from the disposable needle 7.
[0035] like Figure 2 As shown in the embodiment of this utility model, the needle unloading assembly includes: a needle unloading linear motor 505 vertically disposed at the top of the needle loading cavity 504, a push rod 506 serving as the output component of the needle unloading linear motor 505, and a blower head 507 fixed to the front end of the push rod 506.
[0036] like Figure 2 As shown in this embodiment of the utility model, the needle handle clamping assembly includes a needle handle clamping head 509 that is pushed against the periphery of the needle clamping hole 5010 by a forward push spring 508.
[0037] like Figure 2 As shown in this embodiment of the utility model, the front end of the blower head 507 is provided with a mesh cover.
[0038] like Figures 1-4 As shown in this embodiment of the invention, the needle replacement unit 6 includes:
[0039] Chain needle insertion assembly 600, needle handle gripping assembly located at the output end of chain needle insertion assembly 600, and needle replacement interface 620 located on the side of needle carrier block 503 and connected to needle loading cavity 504.
[0040] The chain-type needle insertion assembly 600 includes a transmission wheel 601, a drive motor 602 that drives the transmission wheel 601 to rotate, and a transmission chain 603 that meshes with the transmission wheel 601 for transmission.
[0041] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in this embodiment of the present invention, the needle handle gripping assembly includes: a first needle handle locking block 611 and a second needle handle locking block 612 disposed on adjacent links of the transmission chain 603.
[0042] Working principle of this utility model embodiment:
[0043] S100: First, fix the 96-hole plate and EP tube onto the loading plate respectively, then push the loading plate into the device. When both limit switches 3 are activated, it indicates that the carrier plate is ready and the device will start automatically.
[0044] S200: Under the action of the orthogonal movement unit 4, the pipetting execution unit 5 is controlled to approach the needle replacement unit 6, and the needle replacement interface is located directly below the arc section inlet of the chain needle insertion assembly. Then, the drive motor 602 is controlled to rotate, thereby driving the transmission chain 603 to rotate one link. As a result, the first needle handle locking block 611 and the second needle handle locking block 612 at the arc section inlet unfold each other, thereby releasing the disposable needle handle, which then falls into the needle replacement interface 620 directly below. The disposable needle slides in along the needle loading cavity 504, the needle part slides out from the needle locking hole 5010, and the needle handle part is blocked by the needle handle locking head 509 at the needle locking hole 5010, thus completing the automatic addition of the disposable needle.
[0045] S300: Then, control the orthogonal movement unit 4 again to move to the first well position above the EP plate, control the forward push cylinder 502 to push forward, insert the disposable needle (capillary glass tube) into the well, and under the capillary attraction effect, the sample liquid is drawn into the needle. Then, control the forward push cylinder 502 to retract, and control the orthogonal movement unit 4 to move directly above the first well position of the 96-well plate. Then, control the forward push cylinder 502 to push forward, insert into the well, and start the blower head 507 to blow out the sample liquid in the needle.
[0046] S400: After the sample transfer is completed, the used needle needs to be discarded. Control the orthogonal movement unit 4 to move the pipetting execution unit 5 to the opening above the needle recovery chamber 110. Then, control the needle unloading linear motor 505 to push forward, so that the front mesh cover of the blower head 507 pushes the disposable needle 7 downward. Under the buffering action of the forward push spring 508, the needle handle 509 slides outward, so that the disposable needle 7 is pushed out and slides into the needle recovery chamber 110.
[0047] S500: Repeat S200 and S400 until all sample liquid in each well of this plate has been transferred.
[0048] In this embodiment of the invention, by effectively combining an orthogonal moving unit and a pipetting execution unit, the automated transfer of sample solution between the EP tube sheet and the 96-well plate is achieved. At the same time, the needle replacement unit 6 enables automatic needle replacement, and a separate needle retrieval chamber is provided to prevent contamination caused by misplaced needles. This largely simulates the entire process of manual sample transfer, replacement of disposable needles, and needle disposal, thereby freeing up manual labor through automation, preventing the technical risk of sample transfer misalignment, and improving accuracy and work efficiency.
[0049] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application. The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of this application, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. A medical 96-well plate-like liquid assisted transfer device, characterized in that, include: The main body (1) includes an internal slide, a first orifice plate inlet (101) and a second orifice plate inlet (102) located on both sides of the internal slide, a sample transfer chamber (100) located on the internal slide, and a needle recovery chamber (110) located below the internal slide. The loading plate (2) slides horizontally with the internal slide, the limit switch (3) is installed in the middle of the internal slide, the orthogonal moving unit (4) is arranged on the top layer of the sample transfer chamber (100), the pipetting execution unit (5) is located at the output end of the orthogonal moving unit (4), and the needle replacement unit (6) is installed on the side wall of the sample transfer chamber (100); the needle replacement unit (6) is pre-loaded with disposable needles (7), the disposable needles (7) are capillary glass tubes with a needle handle at the top.
2. A medical 96-well plate-like liquid assisted transfer device according to claim 1, wherein, The pipetting execution unit (5) includes: The carrier block (501) fixed to the output end of the orthogonal moving unit (4), the forward-pushing cylinder (502) vertically installed on the carrier block (501), the needle carrier block (503) located at the lower end of the forward-pushing cylinder (502), the needle loading cavity (504) opened in the needle carrier block (503), the needle locking hole (5010) opened below the needle loading cavity (504), the needle handle clamping assembly located around the needle locking hole (5010), the needle unloading assembly installed in the needle loading cavity (504), and the blower for blowing out the sample liquid from the disposable needle (7).
3. A medical 96-well plate-like liquid assisted transfer device according to claim 2, wherein, The needle unloading assembly includes: a needle unloading linear motor (505) vertically disposed at the top of the needle loading cavity (504), a push rod (506) serving as the output component of the needle unloading linear motor (505), and a blower head (507) fixed to the front end of the push rod (506).
4. A medical 96-well plate-like liquid assisted transfer device according to claim 3, wherein, The needle handle clamping assembly includes a needle handle clamp (509) that is pushed against the periphery of the needle clamping hole (5010) by a push spring (508).
5. A medical 96-well plate-like liquid assisted transfer device according to claim 3, wherein, The blower head (507) is equipped with a mesh cover at its front end.
6. A medical 96-well plate-like liquid assisted transfer device according to claim 2, wherein, The needle replacement unit (6) includes: Chain-type needle insertion assembly (600), needle handle gripping assembly located at the output end of the chain-type needle insertion assembly (600), and needle replacement interface (620) located on the side of the needle carrier block (503) and connected to the needle loading cavity (504). The chain-type needle insertion assembly (600) includes a drive wheel (601), a drive motor (602) that drives the drive wheel (601) to rotate, and a drive chain (603) that meshes with the drive wheel (601) for transmission.
7. A medical 96-well plate-like liquid assisted transfer device according to claim 6, wherein, The needle handle gripping assembly includes a first needle handle locking block (611) and a second needle handle locking block (612) disposed on adjacent links of the transmission chain (603).